BEST?

Maya Angelou Is On the Money – The artist of a new coin discusses the symbolism of her design featuring the late poet, who becomes the first Black woman to grace the U.S. quarter.

Surrealism’s Real Reach – On this week’s Art Angle podcast, Ben Davis and Andrew Goldstein discuss the Met’s show examining the global impact of the Surrealist art movement.

Eva Presenhuber Expands (Again) – The art dealer is opening her second new outpost in as many years, this time in Vienna.

KAWS Goes Virtual – The artist’s latest show at the Serpentine Galleries has a virtual presence too, popping up in the Fortnite video game.

Uncertainty Continues to Plague Calendar – Art fairs continue to deal with changing travel guidelines, so Art Basel Hong Kong will have a lot more “ghost booths” and a contingency plan for a later date.

Christie’s Goes East – The auction house is adding an event in Shanghai to coincide with its London sale and encourage young Asian buyers.

Pop Star Sells Banksys – British star Robbie Williams is selling three works by the anonymous artist worth more than $13 million.

Ousted Montreal Museum Director Settles – Nathalie Bondil, who accused the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts of wrongful termination, has settled with the museum.

Dutch Government Brings a Rembrandt Home – The Netherlands just bought a $198 million painting, but critics worry the money will pass through a tax haven in the Cook Islands.

WORST?

Art Shipping Supply Company’s Far Right Ties – The founder of Uline, Richard Uihlein, has given millions to far right groups, including ones tied to January 6.

Russian Artist in Deep Sh*t – Artist Ivan Volkov installed a giant sculpture of poop at a St. Petersburg burial ground, and now he’s facing criminal charges.

Mandela Sale Quashed Over Criticism – South Africa stepped in to halt a planned sale of Nelson Mandela’s personal belongings in New York, claiming the objects didn’t have the right export permits.

The Louvre Versus Le Pen – The Paris museum is considering taking far-right politician Marine Le Pen to court for staging a campaign video on its property without permission.

No One Wants This Roman Villa – A grand villa boasting the only ceiling mural Caravaggio ever painted failed to find even a single bidder willing to pony up $546 million at auction.

Spa Day at the Museum? – More than 60 cultural institutions in the Netherlands are protesting unequal lockdown measures by hosting spa services, hair stylists, and gyms.

1-54 Cancels Marrakech Edition – For the second year in a row, the African Art Fair called off the event, opting for a scaled-down version at Christie’s Paris in April.